Straw golden color, faint haze and a thin lacing on top. Spice, medicinal phenols (bandaid), lavender, cotton candy and almonds in the nose. Light slickness on the palate, stuggling crispness within the medium body. Even maltiness from start to finish with a taste of grapenuts within. Phenols flavor and balance with wild herb-like flavors and a mild medicinal back end. Slight twang middle to end with some overripe lemon flavor. Chalky yeast tone and drying maltiness in the end.

While the funk adds a light complex side to this beer it does not seem so rustic ... more restrained IMO. A decent take on the style even if it is more refined.

Saison for newbies. On the lighter side flavorwise, spicewise, but pleasantly fruity, some underlying pepper, moderate yeast character. Some spiced up hops in the rear of the mouth and finish of the beer. Would be fine with a summer lunch, salads, cheese, fruits, crusty bread...yum, I cant wait till summer.

Decent take on the style, very sessionable, and easy drinking at 4.35%,but does not present the same complexity, intensity and interest of the big boys of the style.

Overall: I could drink a six of this. Rustic Saison is a nice intro saison. Not mind blowing, but very solid and another great addition to the Sam Adams line up. This is the one I am raiding from the summer styles pack.

The beer pours a light yellow color with a small white head. The aroma is basically undetectable. I think I get a little bit of wheat, but the beer basically has no aroma. The flavor is a mix of wheat with some pepper and orange notes. Still, it is very bland. Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation. I generally like Samuel Adams' beers, but this one is not good.

Rustic Saison opens with a spicy, floral, yeasty nose that instantly recalls baking lavender bread in the summer, with the windows wide open and flower pollen drifting through the screen. The aromas are present in good quantities and are quite enticing, beginning with a very Belgian banana-and-clove base, then adding pineapple, orange, lavender, peppery spices, and yeasty dough to the mix.

On the tongue, the beer opens with a shot of banana, clove, and sourdough bread, then moves quickly into a more palatable middle ground of light banana, peppery spices, toast crusts, orange, and pineapple. Hops add a slight citrusy note, as well as a small burn on the tongue and soft palate. The flavors as a whole are slightly watery, except for the slightly-too-powerful peppers, which continue to gnaw at the tongue well into the aftertaste. Other flavors in the aftertaste include a continuation of the banana and clove theme, as well as fading hints of orange and pineapple fruit esters. Mouthfeel is medium-light, and carbonation is medium to medium-high.

Overall, this is decent fare, and a good introduction to the Saison style for those unfamiliar with its basic flavor profile. Though the beer is slightly too peppery and bitter, it's still well crafted.

Appearance: Bright and slightly hazy golden yellow with lots of bubbles. Big three finger white head with good retention and lots of lacing.

Smell: Wheat and grain with some Belgian yeast and lots of spices. Smells like some coriander and mesquite spices. Hints of lemon and citrus hops.

Taste: A decent amount of wheat and yeast with plenty of spices. Coriander and mesquite mix to give a peppery spiced flavor. Also some lemon zest with a light hint of citrus hops. Also a hint of cloves.

Mouthfeel: Body is light to medium and slightly watery. Carbonation is moderate. Very smooth.

Overall: A pretty good Saison that is on the lighter side but still flavorful.

Also on tap at VE this past week, one of the most interesting throw back Saisons I've come across. Weighing in at only 4.35% abv they're aiming more for a style of beer that was drank by the farmhands lower alcohol session beer verus 6 to 8% versions of the Saisons we see around today. This one appears very much unflitered in my glass with a clouded bright golden shade of lemon, with a white bread egg shell colored head. Fine bands of lacing left with each sip. Spiced citrus flavors with a surprising earthy/herbal hoppy back end coming through and of course some spice additions with an evident level of coriander going on. Flavor is a nice rustic bready, good food pairing style of Saison. Flavors mesh well with hitns of citrus and tropical notes amongst the malts, again herbal/citric hoppiness comes out in the background...white pepper spice and coriander notes adds to make an interesting and flavorful Sam Adams seasonal. Mouthfeel has some creamy carbonation going on with a nice welcoming texture, medium to light bodied with a very sturdy flowing CO2 level. Drink this beer, overall an excellent Sam Adams experience, easpecially with the sessionable alcohol level this could be one of the most creative beers they've put out in quite some time.